Metal and Microelement Biomarkers of Neurodegeneration in Early Life Permethrin-Treated Rats

Hair is a non-invasive biological material useful in the bio monitoring of trace elements because it is a vehicle for substance excretion from body and it permits to evaluate long-term metal exposure. Here, hairs from an animal model of neurodegeneration, induced by early life permethrin treatment from 6th to 21th day of life, have been analysed with the aim to assess if metals and microelements content could be used as biomarkers. Hair trace element assay was performed by ICP-MS technique in rats 6- and 12-month-old. A significant increase of As, Mg S, and Zn was measure in permethrin treated group at 12 months compared to 6 months, while Si and Cu/Zn were decreased. K, Cu/Zn and S were increased in the treated group compared to age-matched controls at 6 months, and 12 months, respectively. Cr resulted significantly decreased in treated group at 12 months. PCA analysis shows a best difference between treated and age-matched control groups at 6 months. The present findings support the evidence that Cu/Zn ratio and K, measured at 6 months, are the best biomarkers for neurodegeneration. This study supports the use of hair analysis to identify biomarkers of neurodegeneration induced by early life permethrin pesticide exposure.